The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) advised plan practitioners affected by Hurricane Katrina who require additional time to file 2005 Form 5500 series annual returns/reports that they may request an extension of two and one-half months (to December 31, 2006).

Filers who need additional time beyond the October 16, 2006 deadline may file Form 5558, Application for Extension of Time to File Certain Employee Plan Returns, by October 16 and attach a photocopy of the completed extension request to the Form 5500 upon filing. The Form 5558 must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

In addition, Form 5500 filers using this extension should check Form 5500, Part I, Box D and attach a statement labeled "Form 5500, Box D – Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Extension." Similarly, Form 5500 EZ filers should check Form 5500 EZ, Part I, Box B, and attach a statement labeled "Form 5500 EZ, Box B – Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Extension."

This extension for reporting is applicable to plan administrators, employers and other entities affected by Hurricane Katrina and located in one or more parishes or counties listed in the IRS notice IR-2006-135, issued August 25, 2006. An extension can also apply to firms located outside the affected areas who are unable to obtain the necessary information from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were located in the areas listed in IR-2006-135 and affected by Hurricane Katrina.

For more information about disaster relief, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1.800.621.3362 or 202.621-FEMA, or visit the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov under "Disaster Area Tax Relief."

Filers who have additional questions may contact EBSA's toll-free EFAST Help Line at 1.866.463.3278.